Bio
EXPERIENCE
Electronic and Radio Frequency (RF) Systems technical support specialist in the design, construction, modification, documentation, testing, repair, and maintenance of electronic systems. Federal Communications Commission First Class Radiotelephone License, experienced in low-level receivers and high-power (up to 1 MW) radio frequency transmitters, digital microprocessors, and computer control systems. Use test equipment including vector network analyzers, time domain reflectometers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, frequency counters, distortion analyzers, bit error rate testers, breakout boxes, digital voltmeters, volt-ohmmeters, watt-meters, variacs and fiber-optic fusion splicers. Use various programs to control and monitor instruments, and to design and simulate electronic circuits. Use AutoCAD to design and document electronic systems. Use Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat to document systems and produce training materials. Write electronics systems courses and instruct. Support operation, maintenance and modification of linear accelerator diagnostic systems, fusion materials experiments, and plasma heating radio frequency sources.
EMPLOYMENT
Electronic & RF Systems Engineer 8/2016 - present
Senior Technical Support Staff 8/2006 - 8/2016
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge, TN
- Design layout of and specify components for 300 kW RF Plasma Heating System for Fusion materials testing.
- Review configuration of installed and planned systems by analyzing circuitry and system design. Implement solutions to improve safety, reliability & performance, simplify maintenance, standardize hardware, reduce cost, reduce electrical hazards and radiation exposure.
- Perform and record corrective maintenance events to analyze for patterns of failures.
- Formulate procedures and perform preventive actions to minimize downtime.
- Perform advanced technical duties including splicing fiber-optic cables, constructing fiber delay lines, constructing filters and striplines, phase-matching cables; formulating and implementing design changes to electronic circuitry and systems, optimizing signal/noise and distortion in radio frequency distribution and instrumentation systems.
- Select, operate, assure proper operation and calibration of test equipment. Ensure that calibration dates and NIST traceability are recorded in a database as required.
- Provide instruction in electronics theory and procedures to assist technicians in the performance of their duties and career.
- Led team to refurbish 1 MW Radio Frequency system for use in fusion materials testing.
- Identify activities that require job hazard analyses, work orders or other documentation. Produce appropriate documentation.
- Identify staffing requirements and qualifications. Assist in interviews to select qualified candidates.
- Construct and test diagnostic devices for use in systems at ORNL and other partner labs. (Fast Faraday Cup, Beam Position Monitor, Nano-Coulomb Detector, Machine Protection Current Measurement System, Frequency Counter system for the Master Oscillator.
- Produce documentation (Text, graphics, AutoCAD schematics and as-built drawings) of electronic systems and technical memoranda including engineering change proposal for mitigation of crosstalk in Ring-Type Beam Position Monitor, calibration of LINAC-Type Beam Position Monitor electronics, Modification of Ring-Type Beam Position Monitor to allow operation with high-intensity beam; drawing packages for HFIR beamline upgrades, and MPEX design.
- Gather and compile data to produce displays for various conferences and publications.
- Represent Diagnostics Group in Audits (ISO 9001, Quality, Safety, Work Control).
- Install fiber optic strain sensors on Spallation Neutron Source target to identify failure causes.
- Assist in development of radiation-resistant single mode fiber optic strain sensors.
Field Engineer 2/2002 – 8/2006
International Broadcasting Bureau Greenville, NC
- Rebuild high-power transmitter after catastrophic failure.
- Troubleshoot from system level to component level, using a wide variety of test equipment. Effect repairs, design, implement modifications and operate high-frequency/high power radio frequency, analog and digital electronic systems including computer controlling and monitoring.
Production Supervisor 12/1999 - 2/2002
Technical Writer 12/1997 - 12/1999
Instrumentation Mechanic 12/1996 - 12/1997
Glaxo-Wellcome/Catalytica/DSM Greenville, NC
- Led Y2K embedded systems evaluation team in evaluating 2300 separate pieces of equipment, identifying systems with 2-digit date encoding, determining consequences of associated system failures and performing required remediation.
- Led product quality investigations.
- Met with Food and Drug Administration auditors to represent group in product quality audits.
- Supervised production technicians in compliance with regulations and standard procedures.
- Wrote standard operating procedures and safety procedures for production staff.
- Installed, constructed, modified, and calibrated electronic and electro-mechanical production equipment.
- Programmed industrial robots for automated production and packaging.
Senior Technical Instructor (Electronics) 10/1993 - 12/1996
Field Engineer 3/1986 - 10/1993
Voice of America Greenville, NC
- Refurbished and installed a previously non-functional Microwave Multiplex System and maintained multi-hop terrestrial microwave and satellite communications links.
- Performed on-site troubleshooting and provided remote support for digital and analog electronics and associated control systems in the worldwide network.
- Served as shift supervisor in plant start-ups within the worldwide network.
- Installed, tested, maintained, evaluated, modified, and documented the electronic and electromechanical equipment.
- Served as System Administrator for the telephone systems and satellite earthstation.
- Served as lead instructor, teaching American and foreign national technical staff and other instructors. Wrote and taught electronic equipment theory, operation and maintenance courses including Semiconductor Circuits, Digital Electronics, Microprocessors, Antennas and Transmission Lines, Frequency Division Multiplex System, Satellite Interconnect System. Presented courses in Morocco, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, and the United States.
Technical Writer 6/1985 - 2/1986
ITT Telecom Raleigh, NC
- Produced technical documentation and developed test procedures for digital image concentrator & telephone switching systems and modules.
Broadcast Engineer / Chief Engineer / Transmitter Engineer 9/1978 - 6/1985
(Various broadcast facilities) VA, TN, NC
- Installed & maintained electronic transmitting, receiving, remote control, video, and signal processing systems.
- Perform field strength measurements, calibrations and proof-of-performance tests.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Industrial Technology Business Administration Minor 5/2000
East Carolina University Greenville, NC 4.0 Cumulative GPA
Associate of Applied Science, Electronics Technology 5/1985
Virginia Highlands Community College Abingdon, VA 4.0 Cumulative GPA
Federal Communications Commission Lifetime First Class Radiotelephone License